The Lancet journal has issued a statement of concern after over 100 scientists from across the world flagged discrepancies in its recent study linking the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine with increased death risk during Covid-19 treatment.

Saying it is the "perfect time and perfect opportunity" to further strengthen the relationship between India and Australia, PM Narendra Modi began virtual summit with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Thursday. The meet will focus on ways to further broadbase bilateral ties in a range of areas like healthcare, trade and defence.

Anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine will be once again tested for its effectiveness against the novel coronavirus as the World Health Organization has decided to resume its trials under the Solidarity Trials. Last week, the WHO had suspended the trials for hydroxychloroquine as concerns were raised about the safety of the drug.

Vocal support from Donald Trump kicked off a heated debate and raised expectations for the decades-old drug hydroxychloroquine that could be a cheap and widely available tool in fighting the Covid pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues, including the novel coronavirus pandemic. A major thrust is expected on a greater projection for the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of an ever aggressive China that has been cornered due to Covid-19.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was looking forward to discussing the countries' responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and would hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a virtual meeting on Thursday on various other issues, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

Organisers of the UK-led virtual Global Vaccine Summit said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi or a high-level Indian representative is expected to participate live or with a pre-recorded message along with at least 35 heads of state or government at the event.

The Lancet medical journal, which published the study paper on the effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in treatment of Covid-19 cases last month, issued an official "expression of concern" regarding it on Tuesday.

A vaccine is seen as essential to ending a pandemic that has killed nearly 370,000 people and infected more than 6 million so far, with world leaders looking at inoculation as the only real way to restart their stalled economies.

The often-violent protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer, are raising fears of new virus outbreaks in a country that has more confirmed infections and deaths than any other.